Sunday, April 12 will always be engraved in the hearts of Centre Chiefs supporters and technical team after beating Orapa United 2-0 in a be Mobile game played in Molepolole.

The game was important to Magosi given that for them to solidify their lead, they had to overcome stubborn Orapa United who had been a threat to the Kgatleng giants.

Centre Chiefs has accumulated 60 points and for them to clinch the championship they need only five points. Even if Township Rollers who are on position two with 52 can win all their four remaining games, they will finish the league with 64 points.

However, the remaining four games for Magosi are Motlakase Power Dynamos, Football Club Satmos, Gaborone United, and Police X1. Centre Chiefs coach Sithole tsaid their win against Ostriches gave his players a lot of confidence.

He said the game was also crucial for his team because had they lost the game, it would have meant the championship race will still be open. “Honestly I am happy because I played this game without a central defender, I changed the left back to play in the central defence so it was a bit of homework, but it worked because we had positive result,” he said.

Dubula vowed to take their next game against Motlakase Power Dynamos seriously, adding they are going to play their normal game and ultimately collect three maximum points. He said his players are determined to clinch the championship, saying he always tell them to play by the whistle.

During the game, Orapa United failed to capitalise on the fact that Magosi did not have a central defence and instead they resorted to cautious approach. On the other side, Chiefs made their intention of winning the game on the first whistle although they squandered most of their golden scoring opportunities.

On the 15th minute of the game, Chiefs won a free kick which was well taken by Captain Pontsho Moloi but it hit the bar. Orapa United deadly player, Hendrick Moyo tormented Chiefs but he was also not lucky to convert on the 32nd minute when his attempt went wide.

On the 41st minute, Orapa United Mosimanyana Letsholo also failed to deal with a ball from Chiefs keeper Mompoloki Sephekolo by heading it straight to their own net instead of clearing it. The goal gave their opponents a lead.

Just some seconds before half time, Magosi were awarded a corner which was taken by Pontsho who did not disappoint but shoot it straight to the net to make it 2-0 before half time.

After half time, Orapa tried hard to at least reduce the deficit, but that was not the case, because Magosi were too good on the defence.

Orapa United coach Maxwell Moyo said Centre Chiefs deserved to win the game because they are on top of the log. He further said his opponents played good entertaining and possession football.

“Centre Chiefs are rolling and they can be champions personally I prefer them to be champions because they are doing a good job,” he said. Meanwhile, in Selebi Phikwe, Nico United and BR Highlanders played to a 1-1 draw in an encounter that took place at Selebi Phikwe stadium.

Though the two teams needed a win each to clear themselves away from the relegation zone, coaches from both sides expressed satisfaction that at least they collected one point and maintained their positions in the league scale, rather than losing and dropping down the premier league chart into the relegation zone.

BR Highlanders coach Tebogo Mokute said his boys performed well despite the numerous chances they failed to convert to goals. He added that his defence did a good job to prevent any more goals from Nico United.

He said he was pleased with the outcome of the game in that Nico is a tough side to beat. “Our mandate for now as BR Highlanders is to fight to stay away from the relegation zone and to maintain our stay in the premier league,” he said.

For his part, Nico’s coach Wesley Mondo noted that they are in danger zone just above the relegation zone and a win against BR Highlanders was what his team needed to aance forward.

Nevertheless, he noted that he was satisfied with the outcome of the game that resulted in them maintaining their position away from the dreaded relegation pit. He said the encounter against BR Highlanders was a highly contested game and gave his boys a run for their money.

He said his team will keep on working hard and try by all means to win the last four games to maintain their stay in the elite league. “We still have a chance to move up the ladder further away from the red zone but we are concerned that we have three red cards which will impact on our game plan,” he said.

In the meantime, during the encounter, the two goals of the match were scored in the second half. Nico was the first to score through Onkabetse Mankgantai. He scored the goal in a rebound manner after Otsile Batang hit a shot at Highlanders keeper, Kabo Ntswaneng, who blocked and reflected the ball towards Mankgantai giving him the green light to easily tap the ball behind the net to give Nico a 1-0 lead.

However, the Mahalapye side goal and equaliser came in the last minutes of the game through Nico United former player Emmanuel ‘Petite’ Thakadu after he received the ball near the right flank, drove it for a few meters before punching the ball towards Nico’s goals and beat keeper Kagiso Rankabekwa to find the net.

Currently Nico United is on the 13th spot with 27 points while BR Highlanders is on the 11th position with 30 points. Nico is due to face Sankoyo Bush Bucks with 35 points and currently on position nine on Saturday while BR Highlanders will be up against struggling Ecco City Greens who are on the 15th spot with 18 points.